NOTICES AND ORDERS OF THE DAY

Items marked  are expected to be taken during the dinner adjournment.

THURSDAY 2ND NOVEMBER

At three oclock

[Prayers will have been read]

*The Baroness LockwoodTo ask Her Majestys Government what progress has been made on the Audit Commissions report Fully Equipped in relation to Artificial Limb Services.

*The Lord BradshawTo ask Her Majestys Government whether there is evidence that the financial hardships of which some road hauliers complain are the result of overcapacity in the industry rather than high fuel costs.

*The Lord RentonTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they will remind all members of the Privy Council of their duty to preserve confidentiality after discussing affairs of state confidentially with other privy councillors whatever their party.

*The Baroness Williams of CrosbyTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they will now press for those war criminals in the Former Republic of Yugoslavia, whose whereabouts are known, to be arrested and brought before the War Crimes Tribunal.

Flags Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000The Lord Falconer of Thoroton to move, That the draft Regulations laid before the House on 23rd October be approved. [28th Report from the Joint Committee]

Immigration Appeals (Family Visitor) (No. 2) Regulations 2000The Lord Judd to move, That an Humble Address be presented to Her Majesty praying that the Regulations, laid before the House on 13th September, be annulled (S.I. 2000/2446).

MONDAY 6TH NOVEMBER

*The Lord RazzallTo ask Her Majestys Government what representations have been received on the timing and content of the Consumer Bill; when these representations were received and from whom.

*The Lord Peyton of YeovilTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they are able to give an approximate estimate of the number of committees existing under the auspices of the National Health Service.

*The Baroness SharplesTo ask the Leader of the House whether she has any plans to reduce the number of hours for which it is necessary for the House to sit in Committee next session.

*The Lord AveburyTo ask Her Majestys Government what were the results of the Human Rights Dialogue held between the United Kingdom and China in October.

Colchester Borough Council Bill [HL]The Chairman of Committees to move, That the promoters of the bill have leave to suspend any further proceedings thereon in order to proceed with it, if they think fit, in the next session of Parliament, provided that notice of their intention to do so is lodged in the Office of the Clerk of the Parliaments not later than 12 noon on Monday 27th November and that all fees due on or before that day have been paid;

That the bill be deposited in the Office of the Clerk of the Parliaments not later than noon on the second sitting day in the next session with a declaration annexed, signed by the agent, stating that the bill is the same in every respect as the bill at the last stage of the proceedings thereon in this House in the present session;

That the proceedings on the bill in the next session of Parliament be pro forma in regard to every stage through which the bill has passed in the present session, and that no new fees be charged to such stages;

That the Private Business Standing Orders apply to the bill in the next session only in regard to any stage through which the bill has not passed during the present session.

Fur Farming (Prohibition) BillReport [The Baroness Hayman]

Disqualifications BillCommittee [The Lord Falconer of Thoroton]

The Baroness Rendell of BaberghTo ask Her Majestys Government how they consider the arts and entertainment are keeping pace with advances towards a multicultural society in the United Kingdom.

TUESDAY 7TH NOVEMBER

*The Lord HarrisonTo ask Her Majestys Government what action they are taking to reduce the harassment of 900,000 men and women each year by stalkers, as detailed in the Home Office report The Nature and Extent of Stalking.

*The Lord WaddingtonTo ask Her Majestys Government what steps they are taking to facilitate the building of an airport on St Helena.

*The Lord HoyleTo ask Her Majestys Government when they are going to reach conclusions on whether it is necessary to involve highly trained police officers and their equipment when transporting abnormal loads.

*The Baroness WalmsleyTo ask Her Majestys Government what steps they are taking to bring to justice the killers of two British journalists, Malcolm Rennie and Brian Peters, as well as two Australian journalists and a New Zealand journalist, at Balibo in East Timor in 1975.

WEDNESDAY 8TH NOVEMBER

*The Lord PaulTo ask Her Majestys Government, in the light of recently published key performance indicators for universities, whether their policies have been effective in widening participation and achieving greater social inclusion.

*The Lord Clinton-DavisTo ask Her Majestys Government whether any drain of talent from family and criminal work at the Bar is likely, following the Lord Chancellors proposals for criminal and family legal aid.

*The Lord McCarthyTo ask Her Majestys Government why local railway stations no longer operate telephone advisory services, which provide the public with up-to-date information concerning such matters as train cancellations, late arrivals and the state of station facilities.

THURSDAY 9TH NOVEMBER

*The Lord RotherwickTo ask Her Majestys Government what steps they are taking to ensure that the United Kingdoms reciprocal health care arrangements with other countries are in practice fully reciprocal.

*The Earl of LongfordTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they are satisfied with the treatment of Ian Brady who is serving a life sentence as a patient in Ashworth Hospital, particularly in regard to visits.

*The Baroness GreengrossTo ask Her Majestys Government what response they will make to the Government Actuarys statement on 17th October concerning the economic effects of early retirement on health grounds.

MONDAY 13TH NOVEMBER

*The Lord JuddTo ask Her Majestys Government what are now their priorities for humanitarian and development assistance, both bilateral and multilateral, for Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.

*The Lord Clement-JonesTo ask Her Majestys Government what additional resources they are devoting to the implementation of their dental strategy.

*The Lord TaverneTo ask Her Majestys Government what are the prospects for Japanese owned firms in Wales.

*The Lord Lamont of LerwickTo ask Her Majestys Government what proposals have been put forward for a common European Union passport; and what is their reaction.

TUESDAY 14TH NOVEMBER

*The Lord GoodhartTo ask Her Majestys Government how many of the responses to the consultation paper Financial conditions for funding by the Legal Services Commission have (a) supported and (b) opposed the proposals in that paper for taking into account the equity value in homes in assessing the liability of applicants to pay contributions to the Community Legal Service Fund.

*The Lord Campbell of AllowayTo ask the Leader of the House whether the proposed constitutional committee of this House will have a remit to advise on the exercise of the Houses guardianship of the constitution; and, if so, whether the committees membership will include Law Lords, one of whom could be appointed chairman.

*The Lord Campbell of CroyTo ask Her Majestys Government what powers they have to influence the choice and location of statues in central London.

*The Lord BlakerTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they propose any changes in policy towards Yugoslavia.

WEDNESDAY 15TH NOVEMBER

*The Lord Thomson of MonifiethTo ask Her Majestys Government whether, at the forthcoming Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers, they will put forward proposals to increase the funding and effectiveness of the Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellowships Plan.

*The Lord BrookmanTo ask Her Majestys Government whether the programme of track replacement, to bring some 2,000 miles of railway track up to satisfactory standards, can be completed quickly and efficiently.

*The Lord NewbyTo ask Her Majestys Government what progress has been made towards the establishment of a Universal Bank.

THURSDAY 16TH NOVEMBER

*The Lord HigginsTo ask Her Majestys Government whether winter fuel allowances in respect of past winters have now been paid to all men between the ages of 60 and 65 entitled to them.

*The Earl RussellTo ask Her Majestys Government, in the light of the MORI survey for the Readers Digest, whether they have any plans to improve the standard of information available to the public about asylum seekers and refugees in this country.

*The Lord TrefgarneTo ask Her Majestys Government what is the estimated cost to the London Ambulance Service of the wear and tear caused by the traffic calming measures now in place in many London streets.

MONDAY 20TH NOVEMBER

*The Lord Howell of GuildfordTo ask Her Majestys Government what are the principles which they believe should guide humanitarian intervention and conflict involvement.

*The Lord EzraTo ask Her Majestys Government what steps, in addition to those mentioned by the Prime Minister in his speech on 24th October, they will be taking to make vehicles cleaner and more fuel efficient.

*The Baroness NoakesTo ask Her Majestys Government how they intend to respond to the Tax Manifesto published recently by the Institute of Chartered Accountants.

TUESDAY 21ST NOVEMBER

*The Baroness Thomas of WalliswoodTo ask Her Majestys Government what is the average penalty applied to a person convicted of accidentally killing another person whilst in charge of a motor vehicle.

*The Lord Dixon-SmithTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they see and contribute to reports by the National Audit Office before these are made.

*The Lord Ashley of StokeTo ask Her Majestys Government how many firms are (a) included in and (b) excluded from the employment provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.

*The Baroness Sharp of GuildfordTo ask Her Majestys Government when they will announce spending plans for the higher education sector for years 2 and 3 of the 2000 Comprehensive Spending Review.

WEDNESDAY 22ND NOVEMBER

*The Lord Janner of BraunstoneTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they will take action to remove rules within the civil service which discriminate on grounds of age, and in particular the requirement to retire at the age of 60.

THURSDAY 23RD NOVEMBER

*The Lord Hunt of ChestertonTo ask Her Majestys Government, in the light of the Lord Phillips of Worth Matravers report on the emergence of BSE and CJD, whether they will explain the principles on which they will introduce changes in the management of important scientific issues in Government Departments and agencies.

*The Lord Dormand of EasingtonTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they are satisfied with the quality of teaching in further education colleges.

TUESDAY 28TH NOVEMBER

*The Baroness Gardner of ParkesTo ask Her Majestys Government when they will publish details of requirements governing the admission to the United Kingdom of special skills applicants.

NO DAY NAMED

PART I

The Lord Simon of GlaisdaleTo move to resolve, That the prolixity of the Statute Book has further increased, is still increasing and ought significantly to be diminished.

The Viscount WaverleyTo ask Her Majestys Government whether it would assist future conflict resolution if United Nations principles were modernised by clarifying the criteria when the right of self determination can supersede that of territorial integrity.

The Lord Pearson of RannochTo call attention to the United Kingdoms present relationship with the European Union, and possible alternatives; and to move for papers.

The Lord NorthbourneTo call attention to the role of voluntary youth services in combating social exclusion and promoting social inclusion; and to move for papers.

The Lord VinsonTo call attention to changes in the influence and prestige of this House and to examine how they should be addressed; and to move for papers.

The Lord Stone of BlackheathTo call attention to the case for earlier detection and palliative intervention in countries exposed to ethnic conflicts; and to move for papers.

The Earl HoweTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they are satisfied that the National Institute for Clinical Excellence is operating within its remit.

The Earl HoweTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they are satisfied with the standards of care given to elderly patients in NHS hospitals.

The Lord SelsdonTo call attention to the future role of the pound sterling and of the euro; and to move for papers.

The Baroness CoxTo ask Her Majestys Government what are their principles and policies with regard to end-user accountability for the sale of weapons and related equipment.

The Lord Simon of GlaisdaleTo call attention to the Salisbury Convention in the light of recent constitutional developments; and to move for papers.

The Lord Lamont of LerwickTo move to resolve, That this House regrets the conduct of the Lord Hoffmann in not disclosing his connection with Amnesty International during the House of Lords first hearing of the extradition appeal of General Pinochet; and calls on the Lord Chancellor to reconsider his support for Lord Hoffmann.

The Lord Campbell of CroyTo call attention to the present circumstances of disabled people whose disabilities were caused by wounds or injuries from enemy action in the Second World War; and to move for papers.

The Lord ChadlingtonTo ask Her Majestys Government what action they propose to take to address the high levels of suicide in the United Kingdom, particularly in prisons and amongst the young male population.

The Lord Hardy of WathTo ask Her Majestys Government what assessment they have made about the problem of litter; and what initiatives they propose to pursue, especially in those areas where the problem is most grievous.

The Lord AveburyTo ask Her Majestys Government what is their policy on further measures to limit the sale, brokering and international shipment of arms to countries involved in conflict.

The Lord PuttnamTo call attention to the case for the United Kingdom remaining competitive in the wake of recent changes in the media and communication industries; and to move for papers.

The Lord SelsdonTo call attention to the political situation in Austria and in other countries of Central and Eastern Europe; and to move for papers.

The Lord AhmedTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they will modernise the working practices of H M Coroner Service to meet the needs of a multi-faith Britain.

The Baroness Turner of CamdenTo call attention to the current problems surrounding care of the elderly, including long-term residential care; and to move for papers.

The Lord HyltonTo ask Her Majestys Government what planning and preparation are being done for the eventual withdrawal of international peace-keeping forces from Bosnia and Kosova, especially as regards permanent systems for justice and law enforcement.

The Lord TomlinsonTo call attention to the resources available to the House of Lords; and to move for papers.

The Lord RotherwickTo ask Her Majestys Government what are their policies towards promoting general aviation.

The Earl AttleeTo ask Her Majestys Government when they expect the Bowman project to provide an effective replacement for the Armys Clansman range of radios that is both secure and resistant to electronic warfare.

The Viscount FalklandTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they share the concerns of some parents and educationalists that many children are entering formal education at too early an age.

The Baroness Anelay of St JohnsTo ask Her Majestys Government what steps they consider should be taken to increase participation in sport by women and girls.

The Lord ChadlingtonTo ask Her Majestys Government what they consider the role of religion to be in Britains multi-cultural society.

The Baroness Miller of Chilthorne DomerTo ask Her Majestys Government what is their response to the Countryside Agency report The State of the Countryside 2000 and in particular what proposals they have for ensuring that rural communities remain inclusive.

The Baroness Williams of CrosbyTo ask Her Majestys Government what measures can be taken by European Union and United Nations member states to stop the import of oil and diamonds from guerrilla and other groups challenging democratically elected governments in Africa by military means.

The Earl of ListowelTo call attention to the needs of children and of their parents and carers; and to move for papers.

The Lord FreybergTo ask Her Majestys Government what progress they have made in resolving the issue of how national museums and galleries can recover VAT.

The Lord Howell of GuildfordTo ask Her Majestys Government what consideration they have given to a requirement for light civil aircraft and helicopters to be fitted with quieter engines and, where practicable, with hush kits.

The Baroness RawlingsTo ask Her Majestys Government what aid provision they have made for British-based small charities operating overseas.

The Lord BradshawTo ask Her Majestys Government whether the possibility of a world shortage of oil should influence strategic plans for the electrification of a greater proportion of the railway system.

The Baroness HooperTo call attention to developments in Latin America; and to move for papers.

The Lord Clement-JonesTo ask Her Majestys Government what relationship they have in mind for the National Health Service with the private health sector.

The Lord Thomas of GresfordTo ask Her Majestys Government whether, in the light of the Court of Appeal decision in Heil v. Rankin and others, given on 23rd March, they will restore the scheme for compensation of the victims of violent crime assessed on the basis of common law damages, and abandon the tariff scheme which replaced it on 1st April 1996.

The Lord VivianTo ask Her Majestys Government what is the current situation in Cyprus.

The Earl of SandwichTo ask Her Majestys Government whether since 1997 their international development budget has been directed more towards the worlds poorest and most neglected communities.

The Baroness UddinTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they propose to incorporate the recommendations of the working group on forced marriage into their overall strategy for dealing with domestic violence.

The Lord ChalfontTo move to resolve, That it is desirable that a Select Committee be appointed to consider all the circumstances surrounding the crash of Chinook helicopter ZD 576 on the Mull of Kintyre on 2nd June 1994.

The Lord RedesdaleTo ask Her Majestys Government what is their policy on a referendum about the Western Sahara.

The Lord ParekhTo ask Her Majestys Government whether, in the light of the Human Rights Act 1998, they will amend the law so as to allow Members of the House of Lords to vote in parliamentary elections.

The Baroness Gardner of ParkesTo ask Her Majestys Government what action they propose to take following their consultation on High hedges: possible solutions.

The Lord EzraTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they intend to revise their energy policy.

The Lord VinsonTo call attention to the effect of disproportionate regulation on small businesses; and to move for papers.

The Baroness CoxTo ask Her Majestys Government what is their response to the increase in religious persecution in many countries; and whether they will consider measures similar to those adopted by the United States Congress.

The Baroness CoxTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they will review their policy towards the government of Sudan, in the light of continuing violations of human rights.

The Lord Willoughby de BrokeTo call attention to the case for the United Kingdom to withdraw from the Common Agricultural Policy; and to move for papers.

The Lord JuddTo ask Her Majestys Government whether the Russian Federation government have yet begun to fulfil their human rights obligations as a member of the Council of Europe in the conduct of their military and security operations in the Chechen Republic, and their administration of that republic.

The Baroness Sharp of GuildfordTo call attention to the recommendation in London Universitys Institute for Education report that optimal class sizes in primary schools should be less than 25; and to move for papers.

The Lord Brougham and VauxTo ask Her Majestys Government what plans they have to ensure sufficient financial support for British competitors at the next Olympics.

The Lord TanlawTo call attention to the 14 recommendations of the Task Force report on potentially hazardous Near Earth Objects; and to move for papers.

The Baroness Anelay of St JohnsTo ask Her Majestys Government what are their plans to ensure that the National Lottery is operated with integrity and without interruption beyond the date of the termination of the current licence held by Camelot.

The Lord Willoughby de BrokeTo ask Her Majestys Government what is their response to the recommendations made by the Maclean Report concerning the costs of inspection and regulation of slaughterhouses.

The Lord Carlile of BerriewTo ask Her Majestys Government what action they propose to take to relieve poverty in rural areas in the light of the changes in the agriculture industry.

The Lord Lofthouse of PontefractTo ask Her Majestys Government what progress has been made on compensation payments for miners and miners widows for bronchitis and emphysema.

The Lord MancroftTo move to resolve, That this House do appoint a select committee to examine the management and financial controls by the New Millennium Experience Company in its management of the Millennium Dome project.

The Baroness Anelay of St JohnsTo ask Her Majestys Government what steps they are taking to promote the marketing of British tourism to visitors from overseas.

The Baroness Ashton of UphollandTo ask Her Majestys Government how the ambulance and paramedic services are incorporated into the modernisation programme in the National Health Service National Plan.

The Baroness Ashton of UphollandTo ask Her Majestys Government what strategies they are pursuing to support children in danger of exclusion from school, their families and teachers.

The Lord Phillips of SudburyTo ask Her Majestys Government what dangers they see in the widening differentials in earnings, and what steps they propose to take to address them.

The Baroness WalmsleyTo call attention to the problems of student poverty and the anomalies arising between support systems in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and England; and to move for papers.

The Lord Faulkner of WorcesterTo ask Her Majestys Government when they will respond to the Health and Safety Commissions draft Approved Code of Practice and Guidance on Passive Smoking at Work.

The Baroness UddinTo ask Her Majestys Government how they will respond to the recommendations of the Parekh Report on the future of multi-ethnic Britain.

The Lord ChalfontTo call attention to the recent white paper issued by the Chinese government on Chinas National Defence Policy; and to move for papers.

The Lord Ashley of StokeTo ask Her Majestys Government what proposals they have to ensure the comprehensive subtitling of television programmes.

The Lord Clement-JonesTo ask Her Majestys Government why they have no plans to review the list of medical conditions conferring prescription charge exemption.

The Lord Lester of Herne HillTo call attention to Equality: A New Framework, the Report of the Independent Review of the Enforcement of United Kingdom Anti-Discrimination Legislation, and to the options for reform of anti-discrimination legislation in the United Kingdom; and to move for papers.

The Lord AhmedTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they have plans to improve British schooling for ethnic minority children.

PART II

SELECT COMMITTEE REPORTS

[The date in brackets is that on which the Report was published]

The Lord Lewis of NewnhamTo move, That this House takes note of the Report of the European Communities Committee on Waste Incineration (11th Report, Session 1998-99, HL Paper 71). [21st July 1999]

The Lord Hope of CraigheadTo move, That this House takes note of the Report of the European Union Committee on Reforming EC Competition Procedures (4th Report, HL Paper 33). [29th February]

The Lord Jenkin of RodingTo move, That this House takes note of the Report of the Science and Technology Committee on Science and Society (3rd Report, HL Paper 38). [14th March]

The Baroness Hilton of EggardonTo move, That this House takes note of the Report of the European Union Committee on The Common European Policy on Security and Defence (15th Report, HL Paper 101). [3rd August]

The Lord Hope of CraigheadTo move, That this House takes note of the Report of the European Union Committee on Public Access to EU Documents (16th Report, HL Paper 102). [1st August]

The Lord Wallace of SaltaireTo move, That this House takes note of the Report of the European Union Committee on Enlargement and EU External Frontier Controls (17th Report, HL Paper 110). [1st November]

QUESTIONS FOR WRITTEN ANSWER

[Tabled on 1st November, or unanswered after 21 days]

27th September

The Baroness Anelay of St JohnsTo ask Her Majestys Government which Minister or Ministers had sight of the reports presented in June 1997 to the Millennium Commission by Deloitte & Touche and by Mr Bob Stubbs prior to Cabinet approval for the Millennium Dome project. (HL3875)

28th September

The Earl RussellTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they will list the excess winter deaths for each English region, and for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, in each year from 1998-89 to 1999-2000, with a breakdown by age for each year. (HL3917)

3rd October

The Lord HoyleTo ask Her Majestys Government how the Government Car and Despatch Agency dispose of cars after use. (HL4007)

10th October

The Baroness SeccombeTo ask Her Majestys Government what action has been taken by the Lord Falconer of Thoroton in his capacity as Minister and as a shadow director of the New Millennium Experience Company to comply with the advice given by PriceWaterhouse Coopers (PWC) at page 39 of their Project Mozart presentation that shadow directors must be on notice and need to take urgent action to address the position after taking appropriate legal and commercial advice in the light of PWCs statement at page 39 that There is clear evidence to suggest that NMEC is currently insolvent. (HL4134)

The Baroness SeccombeTo ask Her Majestys Government how many County Court judgments were outstanding against the New Millennium Experience Company as at

(a) 31st May;

(b) 30th June;

(c) 31st July;

(d) 31st August; and

(e) 30th September. (HL4135)

The Lord LukeTo ask Her Majestys Government which Ministers in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport have met Sir Richard Branson since the passage of the National Lottery Act 1998. (HL4148)

The Lord Brabazon of TaraTo ask Her Majestys Government when Ministers in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport next plan to meet Sir Richard Branson. (HL4149)

The Lord Brabazon of TaraTo ask Her Majestys Government whether any Ministers in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport have discussed the issue of the next National Lottery licence with Sir Richard Branson since the passage of the National Lottery Act 1998. (HL4150)

11th October

The Baroness BlatchTo ask Her Majestys Government whether the Millennium Domes New Millennium Experience Company has, at any time, traded while insolvent; and, if so, over which periods. (HL4159)

The Baroness Anelay of St JohnsTo ask Her Majestys Government how many County Court summonses had been issued against the New Millennium Experience Company as at

(a) 31st May;

(b) 30th June;

(c) 31st July;

(d) 31st August; and

(e) 30th September. (HL4174)

1st November

The Lord DesaiTo ask Her Majestys Government when they expect to publish the Annual Report of the Chief Inspector of the Magistrates Courts Service. (HL4471)

The Lord BrookmanTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they will publish the most recent figures for confirmed BSE cases broken down by year of birth. (HL4472)

The Lord BrookmanTo ask Her Majestys Government when the review of the Organic Farming Scheme will be completed. (HL4473)

The Earl of NortheskTo ask Her Majestys Government why attempts to access the Department of Trade and Industry web-pages http://www.dti.gov.uk/cii/regulation.html and http://www.dti.gov.uk/cii/lbpresponse.html are met with the message Sorry, the page you requested does not exist. (HL4474)

The Earl of NortheskTo ask Her Majestys Government what plans, if any, they have to review the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 in light of the fact that its legality under European law is currently under investigation by the European Commission. (HL4475)

The Baroness Anelay of St JohnsTo ask Her Majestys Government whether the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has received any formal complaints against the New Millennium Experience Company; and, if so, whether they will list the names of those companies or organisations which have laid such complaints. (HL4476)

The Baroness Anelay of St JohnsTo ask Her Majestys Government what plans the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has to appoint inspectors to investigate the financial operations of the New Millennium Experience Company. (HL4477)

The Lord Lester of Herne HillTo ask Her Majestys Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Bassam of Brighton on 23rd October (WA 14) on standard notifications of removal of asylum seekers, what is the new wording of the form in question; and whether it makes clear that there is an opportunity for asylum seekers to ask the Secretary of State to reconsider his decision on human rights grounds. (HL4478)

The Lord AveburyTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they will propose that an independent audit be conducted of United Nations operations in West Papua leading up to the Act of Free Choice in 1969. (HL4479)

The Lord AveburyTo ask Her Majestys Government what information they have received from the Ethiopian government about the reasons for its withdrawal from the proximity talks on proposals by President Abdulaziz Bouteflika of Algeria for delimitation and demarcation of the boundary between Ethiopia and Eritrea, compensation and investigation of the origins of the conflict. (HL4480)

The Lord AveburyTo ask Her Majestys Government how many prisoners went on Reasoning and Rehabilitation courses in the last 12 months for which figures are available; and of these, how many dropped out and how many were asked to leave the course. (HL4481)

The Lord AveburyTo ask Her Majestys Government what courses are offered by the Prison Service on addressing offending behaviour; and what comparisons they make of the effectiveness of these courses. (HL4482)

The Lord Harris of GreenwichTo ask Her Majestys Government how many organisations and individuals had by 31st October expressed support for the proposal to merge the Prison and Probation Inspectorates. (HL4483)

The Lord LairdTo ask Her Majestys Government whether the Chief Commissioner for the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission is a member of the Committee of the Administration of Justice; and, if so, what is the term of his membership. (HL4484)

The Lord LairdTo ask Her Majestys Government how the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission intends to fulfil its commitment, as stated in its Strategic Plan 2000-02, to be completely independent from any outside influence such as a non-governmental human rights organisation, when six out of ten of the Commissions members are also members of the Committee for the Administration of Justice. (HL4485)

The Lord LairdTo ask Her Majestys Government whether the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission has fulfilled its statutory duty under section 69(1) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 by reviewing the adequacy and effectiveness of the law and practice in relation to marches by the Loyal Institutions in Northern Ireland. (HL4486)

The Lord Astor of HeverTo ask Her Majestys Government what is the estimated overall cost in 1999-2000 to local education authorities of educational provision for children with an autistic spectrum disorder in (a) special school provision (both autism specific and generic) and (b) mainstream provision; and what the projected cost is for 2000-01. (HL4487)

The Lord Astor of HeverTo ask Her Majestys Government which local education authorities have accessed monies, and if so how much, from the Standards Fund 1999-2000 (a) for improvement of speech and language therapy for children with communication difficulties, including autistic spectrum disorders; (b) for Special Educational Needs training and professional development of teachers and other staff; and (c) to support special schools outreach provision. (HL4488)

The Lord Astor of HeverTo ask Her Majestys Government how many bids were received by the Department for Education and Employment from the Standards Fund 1999-2000 for autism specific projects by (a) local education authority and (b) amount of grant. (HL4489)

The Lord Astor of HeverTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they will provide a breakdown by allocation of Standards Fund money for Special Educational Needs in 1999-2000 by nature of application of grant. (HL4490)

The Lord Astor of HeverTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they will provide an analysis of the bids, according to nature of application, for Standards Fund money in 1999-2000. (HL4491)

The Lord Astor of HeverTo ask Her Majestys Government how much will be spent in total per year on administering the Concessionary Television Licence Scheme for the over 75s, broken down into staff costs, publicity, postage and any other major areas of expenditure; and what discussions they have had with the BBC to ensure the money is used efficiently. (HL4492)

The Lord Stoddart of SwindonTo ask Her Majestys Government, further to the answer by the Baroness Ramsay of Cartvale on 26th October on closer political integration with the European Union (HL Deb, col. 480), what mechanism they will use to stop any attempt by any institution of the European Community, including the European Court of Justice, to make the charter of fundamental rights or any provision or provisions contained in it legally binding on and enforceable in the United Kingdom. (HL4493)

The Lord Willoughby de BrokeTo ask Her Majestys Government when they expect to reply to the recommendations made by the Maclean Report concerning the costs of inspection and regulation of slaughterhouses. (HL4494)

The Lord HyltonTo ask Her Majestys Government, further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Hayman on 16th October (WA 67), whether Forest Enterprise has in the last five years sold timber, including softwood thinnings, at roadside prices less than the landed prices of equivalent imports (including cost, freight, insurance etc.); and, if so, in what quantities. (HL4495)

The Lord HyltonTo ask Her Majestys Government what progress they are making in reviewing the voucher system applying to asylum seekers; when they expect to reach conclusions; and whether they will give instructions that change in full in cash should always be given when vouchers are tendered for purchases. (HL4496)

The Baroness WhitakerTo ask Her Majestys Government what plans they have to deal with the situation where African-Caribbean pupils enter compulsory schooling as the highest achieving group but leave it as the group least likely to gain five high-grade GCSEs, as revealed in the recent Report Educational Inequality: Mapping Race, Class and Gender, commissioned by OFSTED. (HL4497)

The Lord GreavesTo ask Her Majestys Government how many miles of new motorway were completed in England and Wales in each year between 1956 and 1999. (HL4498)

The Lord GreavesTo ask Her Majestys Government what was the amount spent on motorway building and widening schemes in each year between 1956 and 1999

(a) at actual prices; and

(b) at adjusted to 2000 prices. (HL4499)

The Lord GreavesTo ask Her Majestys Government how many miles of new motorway are expected to be completed in 2000 and 2001. (HL4500)

The Lord GreavesTo ask Her Majestys Government how much they forecast will be spent on motorway building and widening schemes in 2000 and 2001 respectively. (HL4501)

BILLS IN PROGRESS

[The date in square brackets is the date for which the bill is set down]